Moss Pie

Hi everyone!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend where you are.

The sun is shining here today and I couldn't be happier.

Jack needed to be walked, so we bundled up, I stuffed a plastic bag in my pocket (no, not for Jack's poo), and we set out to take in some nature.

I've been wanting to gather some moss to incorporate into my creative projects and since there is no snow I thought today might be a good day for it.

We  found lots of beautiful moss, but it was frozen and difficult to gather.

We brought back enough to fill this old pie pan.

With a little left over to fill this recycled candle jar.

I love the way it looks in this jar!

The fragrance is so fresh and earthy.

On our way back the wind was blowing and it felt more like a day in March than a day in January.

Jacks ears were flapping in the wind as he pranced along, happy to be out in the fresh air.

He's content to nap now and I feel energized enough to clean up some of my crafting messes that I've made this past week. 

If the sun is shining where you are, I suggest getting outside for a while.

It really does make you feel better.

See ya soon.

Karen

Finishing Touches & A Sweet Little Christmas Lamb

It finally stopped raining long enough for me to gather some pine for the finishing touches on my holiday decor.

I love the smell of fresh pine and it was a much needed break to be able to have a bit of outdoor time, gathering branches. I even found a downed branch with a small nest still clinging to it.

There are pine branches tucked in everywhere.

I found some beautiful moss to tuck in here and there too.

Maybe next year this mantel will have a real fireplace to go with it, but for this year it makes a nice place to hold more pine.

I wish I would have gotten a real tree.

Next year for sure.

Some more decor.

I think I may have taken too many photos today.

It was a nice distraction from cleaning.

These next photos are of a lamb that I crocheted recently.

And last, but not least, there's Jack sporting his new scarf that I made for him.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Love & Hugs

KAREN



Upcycled Decorating

As winter approaches, I am compelled to change the look and feel of my home to something warm and inviting. You can create a whole new look without spending a lot of money just by moving things from one room to another or upcycling something old into something new. I've been finding some interesting pieces at my local thrift store for next to nothing, as well as some forgotten treasures packed away in boxes in my basement. Crafting with things found in nature is another way to freshen up the look of your home and it doesn't cost a thing. I'm having a lot of fun with this idea...a sort of challenge to do a home makeover for free or almost free. I'd like to share my ideas, so I'll be posting some of my decorating tips here on my blog. I'd really like to hear about your upcycled decorating ideas as well.

The first project I'd like to share is a new set of kitchen curtains that I made from some old muslin tab panels. The panels were my living room drapes about ten years ago and were stashed away in a box in my basement. I cut off the tabs and hems, stitched two of them together end to end, then folded the top down to form a casing for the rod to go through. That's it. Fresh new curtains that didn't cost a thing.

The windowsill needed something new too. I filled 4 thrifted spice jars with some moss and pebbles from my backyard to create some tiny terrariums. They will keep me thinking Spring during the long winter months ahead.

Total cost for these window makeovers was about 50 cents for the thrifted spice jars. I love the new look and it inspired me to wash those dirty windows.